Walnut rootstock &#39;RX1&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of walnut rootstock denominated ‘RX1’ is described. This new variety, ‘RX1’, can be propagated through micropropagation. It has excellent survivability in the nursery and orchard. The new variety also has reduced susceptibility to damage from  Phytophthora citricola  in greenhouse screens and in the field compared to other available walnut rootstocks.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Botanical/commercial classification: Juglans microcarpa×Juglans regia/new walnut rootstock. Varietal denomination: ‘RX1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct clonal rootstock for English walnut (Juglans regia) that has been denominated varietally as ‘RX1’, and more particularly to such a walnut rootstock that has reduced susceptibility to cankering by Phytophthora (Phytophthora citricola), and that further is easily clonally propagated by micropropagation.

It has long been recognized that Phytophthora root and crown rots are some of the most serious diseases of walnut worldwide. In California, Phytophthora citricola and P. cinnamomi are recognized as the most virulent species of the fungus, but P. citricola is more widespread. The rootstock of the present invention, ‘RX1’, has been identified as being more resistant to P. citricola than other available clonal walnut (Juglans) rootstocks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It was found that the walnut rootstock ‘RX1’ of the present invention exhibits the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   a) can be propagated through micropropagation;     -   b) has excellent survivability in the nursery and orchard; and     -   c) has reduced susceptibility to damage from Phytophthora         citricola in greenhouse screens and in the field compared to         other available walnut rootstocks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE TABLES

Table 1 shows comparative nursery performance of ‘RX1’ and other rootstock clones grown in Stanislaus County, Calif. in 2004.

Table 2 shows comparative nursery performance of ‘RX1’ and other rootstock clones grown at in Butte County, Calif. in 2004.

Table 3 shows field performance of ‘RX1’ and other clonal and seedling rootstocks in non-infested soil and soil infested with Phytophthora citricola.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows relative susceptibility of ‘RX1’ and two other potential rootstock clones to Phytophthora citricola, and the effect of pre-inoculation chilling on disease severity, 2003 greenhouse screen.

FIG. 2 shows relative susceptibility of ‘RX1’ and two other potential rootstock clones to Phytophthora citricola, data combined for plants subjected to pre-inoculation chilling and non-chilled plants, 2003 greenhouse screen.

FIG. 3 shows relative susceptibility of ‘RX1’ and six other potential rootstock clones to Phytophthora citricola, 2003 greenhouse screen.

FIG. 4 shows relative susceptibility of 10 hybrid walnut clones to Phytophthora citricola, 2004 greenhouse screen.

FIG. 5 shows relative susceptibility of 17 hybrid walnut clones and Northern California black walnut to Phytophthora citricola, 2006 greenhouse screen.

FIG. 6 shows grafted ‘RX1’ in a new orchard.

FIG. 7 shows ‘RX1’ in Phytophthora field trial.

FIG. 8 shows grafted ‘RX1’ in replant situation.

FIG. 9 shows visual rating of tree growth and condition of clonal and seedling test trees at a Jenny Lind, Calif. field site in 2006.

FIG. 10 shows percent mortality for UC clonal selections and other rootstocks at a Jenny Lind, Calif. field site.

FIG. 11 shows percent mortality for UC clonal selections and other rootstocks at a Linden, Calif. field site.

FIG. 12 shows bark and new leaves of three-year old ‘RX1’ tree.

FIG. 13 shows greenhouse grown ‘RX1’ tree about 6 months old.

FIG. 14 shows upper side of leaf of ‘RX1’.

FIG. 15 shows lower side of leaf of ‘RX1’.

FIG. 16 shows flower of ‘RX1’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The new rootstock, ‘RX1’ was selected as part of the “Paradox Diversity Study” (PDS) which was initiated in 1996 to study the genetic diversity of commercial walnut rootstocks. The hybrid of J. hindsii×J. regia, commonly known as Paradox, is the most frequently planted rootstock for English walnut in California. The study included approximately 300-500 seed (depending on the predicted percent Paradox), from 37 black walnut sources of Paradox supplied by California walnut nurseries, and 7 controlled crosses and open-pollinated controls from several different walnut species including Texas black, Juglans microcarpa. Seed or seedlings were distributed to cooperating researchers for tests of response to nematodes (Pratylenchus vulnus), Phytophthora (seed supplied), crown gall (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) and the orchard environment (field trials). The study was repeated in 1997.

In fall of 1997, seed from a Juglans microcarpa designated as DJUG 29.11 in location B6-3 at the National Germplasm Repository, Davis and growing at the Wolfskill orchards in Winters, Calif. was tested against Phytophthora citricola. From results of the previous year, about 50% germination and about 50% hybrids with J. regia from this tree was expected. In fact in 1998, germination was better (70%) but percent hybrids were very low (5%). Due to lack of sufficient seedlings for screening, a representative of the J. microcarpa×J. regia hybrid family was micropropagated. The seedling chosen (98-RX-SD8) later became ‘RX1’. It was introduced into culture in summer 1998 using the standard micropropagation protocol. In fall 1998, the cultures were transferred to a nursery for further multiplication and rooting.

In summer 2001, a replicated trial in the greenhouse to determine the relative susceptibility of ‘RX1’ to Phytophthora citricola was initiated. The clone appeared to have resistance to the pathogen in preliminary tests. In September, 2001, the clone was evaluated for further production of plants. Between 2001 and 2005, ‘RX1’ was multiplied, rooted and acclimatized for trials for response to Phytophthora citricola and for additional field trials. During summers 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006, plants were transplanted into appropriate containers, grown to appropriate size for screening, grown on appropriate inocula, and subjected to repeated greenhouse experiments to evaluate resistance of ‘RX1’ and other selected clones to P. citricola . Several modifications in propagation and pre-inoculation treatments were made including induction of dormancy of plants and treatment with hormones. ‘RX1’ was consistently at least moderately resistant to the pathogen (FIGS. 1-4).

In August 2006 a screen for P. citricola response was conducted with plants of ‘RX1’ that had been through cycles of dormancy which tended to equalize growth and kept them small enough to facilitate mass screening. The cycles included dormancy induced by storage at 6C for 3-5 months (2004), growth in the greenhouse for one year (2005) and natural dormancy in a lath house followed by growth in the greenhouse (2006). The screen for resistance was initiated in August 2006 by transplanting individual plants from one-liter pots to two-liter pots filled with UC potting mix soil that was either artificially infested with P. citricola (45 ml of P. citricola-infested V8 juice-oat-vermiculite substrate per liter of soil) or treated as a control (45 ml sterile substrate per liter of soil)). There were 5 replicate plants planted in non-infested soil and 10-20 replicate plants in infested soil, evenly distributed in a split-plot design (main plots were inoculum treatments, subplots were rootstock) among 5 blocks. Every two weeks after transplanting, the soil in each pot was flooded for 48 hours. Three months after transplanting, the root and crown systems were washed free from soil and evaluated visually for incidence and severity of crown and root rot. Among the 17 clonal hybrids evaluated in the screen, ‘RX1’ was one of the hybrids most resistant to P. citricola (FIG. 5).

During the propagation of plants for Phytophthora testing, plants were also being propagated for field trials. These were grown at two nurseries in 2004. ‘RX1’ was one of the smallest plants at both nurseries (Tables 1 and 2), but produced between 70% and 75% graftable rootstocks as determined by the nursery. These were either grafted in place with ‘Chandler’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,388) or distributed for grafted field trials for replant situations or Phytophthora field screening in 2005. The ‘Chandler’-grafted ‘RX1’ (n=80) was planted in a new orchard with another promising clone AZ2 (n=80) and seedling Paradox (J. hindsii×J. regia) provided by the nursery. AZ2 turned out to be a weak clone that could not be transplanted bare root, and survival was very poor after transplanting. Nearly all the ‘RX1’ survived and were indistinguishable from the seedling Paradox (FIG. 6).

For the Phytopthora field trial, 30 each of 11 different genotypes including ‘RX1’ were planted in May, 2005 in Armstrong Tract, Department of Plant Pathology on the University of California campus and were artificially inoculated with Phytophthora citricola. A randomized block split plot design was used. For each rootstock clone, there were six four-tree plots to be infested and six single tree plots to serve as uninoculated controls. Northern California black (J. hindsii) and wingnut (Pterocarya stenoptera) were included as susceptible and resistant controls, respectively. In January 2006, 100 ml of a V8 juice-oat mixture infested with P. citricola was mixed into the upper 5 cm of soil around the trunk of each tree. A sterile mixture was applied to the uninoculated controls.

The block artificially inoculated with Phytophthora was assessed for growth in trunk circumference and development of crown rot as indicated by trunk cankers extending up from the soil surface in November 2006. Sixty-two percent of the susceptible controls were rotted or dead. ‘RX1’ was one of the smaller clones (Table 3), but it was thriving (FIG. 7) and not affected by the inoculation (Table 3).

Preliminary results from grafted field trials suggest that ‘RX1’ is a survivor in spite of the challenge of being in replant sites (FIGS. 8-11).

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

This description is based on a 6-month old greenhouse grown clone of ‘RX1’ produced through micropropagation, a 3-yearold ‘RX1’ in the Phytophthora field screen and a 2-year old RX1 growing in the Pomology field at University of California, Davis. Data for the botanical description were collected in spring, 2007.

The Munsell Color Charts for Plant Tissues (1977. GretagMacbeth, New Windsor, N.Y.) is used in the identification of color. Also, common color terms are to be accorded their ordinary dictionary significance.

-   Botanical classification: Juglans microcarpa×Juglans regia. -   Female parent: Juglans microcarpa -   Male parent: Juglans regia ‘RX1’ differs from its female parent by     having fewer leaflets/leaf, broader leaflets and more vigor. ‘RX1’     differs from its male parent by having more leaflets/leaf and     narrower leaflets. -   Plant: The growth habit of the tree is illustrated in FIG. 7. This     3-year old tree is approximately 3.05 meters tall. Bark of two-year     old wood is dark brown (2.5Y 5/2). Bark color of one-year old wood     is lighter and redder (7.5YR 5/4) (FIG. 12). Lenticels, about 48 in     one square cm, are buff-colored (7.5YR 8/2). The six month old,     greenhouse-grown tree is about 45 cm tall with a stem diameter of     about 0.8 cm (FIG. 13). The stem is green (5GY 5/10) with scattered     lenticels (2.5Y 8/4) more dense towards the base and about 0.5 mm     long. -   Foliage: The leaves are pinnately compound and alternate. The     slightly pubescent new spring foliage (FIG. 12) has reddish new     leaves (10R 5/8) and green older leaves (5GY 5/6). There are 13-15     leaflets. The six-month old greenhouse-grown tree has fewer leaflets     (9-11). Leaves are 30 cm long and 28-30 cm wide with petioles 5-8 cm     long. Leaflets are 12-14 cm long and 5-7 cm wide, dark green on the     upper surface (5GY 5/10) (FIG. 14) and slightly lighter on the lower     surface (5GY 7/4) (FIG. 15). -   Inflorescence: The flowers are small (2 mm×5 mm) and borne in two or     three at the shoot tip (FIG. 16). The stigma surface is red (5R 5/8)     and the involucre is green (2.5GY 6/6) covered with sticky hairs. -   Disease resistance and susceptibility: This rootstock is more     resistant to Phytophthora citricola in greenhouse tests than other     Juglans rootstocks.

Usage: The new rootstock of the present invention provides walnut growers with a new clonally propagated rootstock. It can be easily micropropagated. TABLE 1 Clones grown in Stanislaus County, California in 2004 Plan- Graftable Graftable Diameter (mm) Clone ted N N % Mean SD Range CV Nematodes VX211 106 87 82 31 4.9 21-44 12.6 Phytophthora AZ2 230 151 66 26 5 13-38 19.2 AZ3 49 24 49 25 6.7 11-37 26.8 NZ1 172 111 64 26 4.4 10-39 16.9 JX2 246 191 78 29 4.1 13-39 14.1 RX1 104 78 75 18 1.6 14-22 8.8 AX1 163 86 53 27 4.3 14-40 15.9 GZ1 108 83 77 26 5.4 13-40 20.8 Px1 247 154 62 26 4.6 12-40 17.7 AZ1 52 38 73 30 4.4 22-43 14.7 UX1 27 23 85 25 4 15-30 16 GZ2 47 38 81 26 4.5 15-33 17.3 Blackline WIP3 158 66 42 26 5 12-35 19.2 WIP9 10 6 60 25 2.3 23-99 9.2 Control UX022 71 59 83 23 3.7 14-29 16.1 English Vina 14 10 71 18 3.7 13-24 20.5 Sunland 64 20 31 26 3.8 18-31 14.6 Totals 1868 1225 66 25

TABLE 2 Clones grown in Butte County, California in 2004. Planted Graftable Graftable Diameter (mm) Clone N N % Mean SD Range CV AX1 120 107 89 19 4.6 10-30 26 AZ2 120 102 85 21 4.7 10-31 22 RX1 120 84 70 19 3.2 10-27 17 Totals 360 293 81 20

TABLE 3 Field performance of clonal Paradoxt hybrids, Northern California black walnut, and Chinese wingnut rootstocks in non-infested soil and soil infested with Phytophthora citricola, Davis. Maternal background Percent of Incidence of Increase in Clone of hybrid Soil treatment Incidence of trunk circ. tree mortality trunk circ. (or species) (or species of standard) (January 2006) crown rot (%) Necrotic % (mm) AX1 californica Control  0 c  0 c  0 c 163 c P. citricola  4 c  1 c  0 c 146 cde AZ2 (major x hindsii)x nigra Control  0 c  0 C  0 C 116 fg P. citricola  0 c  0 c  0 c 117 fg NZ1 (major x hindsii)x nigra Control  0 c  0 c  0 c 116 fg P. citricola  0 c  0 c  0 c 130 def GZ1 hindsii Control  0 c  0 c  0 c 157 cd P. citricola  4 c  1 c  0 c 150 cd JX2 hindsii Control  0 c  0 c  0 c 166 bc P. citricola  0 c  0 c  0 c 135 def PX1 hindsii Control  0 c  0 c 0 c 169 bc P. citricola  8 c  1 c  0 c 157 cd VX211 hindsii Control  0 c  0 c  0 c 191 b P. citricola  0 c  0 c  0 c 147 cde RX1 microcarpa Control  0 c  0 c  0 c 112 fg P. citricola  0 c  0 c  0 c 116 fg WIP3 hindsii x regia Control  0 c  0 c  0 c 100 g P. citricola  8 bc  2 c  0 c 121 efg (NCB) (J. hindsii) Control 16 b 17 b 17 b 68 h P. citricola 62 a 59 a 59 a 57 h (Wingnut) (Pt. stenopiera) Control 0 c 0 b 0 e 226 a P. citricola 0 c 0 b 0 c 193 b ²All trees were planted May 2005. The assements of crown rot and mortality were made Nov. 21, 2006. Means within a column and without letters in common are significantly different (Waller k ratio). 

1. A new and distinct variety of walnut rootstock as shown and described herein. 